Access Guide
Overview
-
About
View
- The Michael Smith Building is a large building with four floors.
- There are four main lifts, and three main staircases within the building.
- The floors are signed as Level 1 for the ground floor, Level 2 for the first floor, Level 3 for the second floor, and so on.
Some signage around the building may show the ground floor signed as G instead of 1. - The building is arranged around a central courtyard and atrium, with open plan areas encircled on each floor by an access corridor.
The corridor in turn provides access to laboratories and other work areas along each side of the building.
The corridor can be used for access between any open plan area and laboratory on each floor, except the ground floor, which is restricted on the right hand side of the building.
-
Parking and Public Transport
View
- There is a campus car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
- The name of the nearest car park is Car Park G.
- View information on Campus Car Parks (opens new tab) .
- The nearest train station is Ardwick.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab)
- View information on getting here (opens new tab)
-
Related Access Guides
View
- There are internal link bridges from the Michael Smith Building to the Stopford Building and the AV Hill Building.
- View information on Stopford Building (opens new tab)
- View information on AV Hill Building (opens new tab)
Opening Times
- Monday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Tuesday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Wednesday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Thursday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Friday 08:00 - 18:00.
- Saturday Closed.
- Sunday Closed.
Getting Inside
- The approach to the building is step-free on a slope with a very easy gradient.
- There is a single (accessible) external entrance into the building.
The accessible entrance is located in the building across the road from Car Park G, with two further internal link bridge entrances from the Stopford Building and the AV Hill Building. - The accessible entrance is not named (signed as Michael Smith Building).
- The accessible entrance gives access to the Level 1.
- The link bridge entrances from the Stopford Building and AV Hill Building give access to Level 4.
- The approach to the link bridge entrance from the Stopford Building is on a long slope with a slight gradient.
Getting Around
- It is possible to overcome all stairs within the building using the lifts.
- Floor surfaces along corridor circulation routes are hard and smooth, with a shiny finish.
The flooring in the open plan areas is carpet. - There is seating without armrests, armchairs, and sofas available on the ground floor in the central atrium near the Smith Café, and Stairwell 8.
There is a mixture of chairs without armrests, armchairs, and sofas in the central open plan areas from the first floor upwards. - There is wayfinding signage at reception.
Wall mounted floor plans are available on all floors. - There are manual doors between the open plan areas and access corridor on all floors.
Toilet and Changing Facilities
- There are 25+ toilets with adaptations.
- Toilets with adaptations are located on all floors.
- The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
- The shared toilet facilities are located on all floors.
- The gender neutral toilet facilities are located near reception.
- Standard shower facilities are located on the first floor towards the front of the building.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations near reception.
Rooms and Services in the Building
Entrance (Accessible)
- This entrance is located on Rumford Street, to the right hand side of the building, opposite the Car Park G.
- The approach to the entrance has bollards.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
- There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 96cm.
- There is an intercom at a height of 96cm.
- There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
- The door opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 106cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors .
- The second set of doors open towards you.
- The width of the opening is 183cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
- There is a key card reader for the second set of doors.
The key card reader is 110cm high.
There is a key card reader to exit.
The key card reader is 109cm high. - There is a revolving door to the left of the first set of doors.
The revolving door width is 150cm.
Reception
- The reception is located straight ahead from the accessible entrance.
- The distance from the accessible entrance is 7m.
- There is step-free level access to reception.
- The height of the reception desk is 109cm.
- There is a lowered section at the desk.
- The height of the lowered section is 74cm.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
- Some flooring is patterned.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
- Seating available in this area includes: sofas.
- Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
- The reception is open during normal building opening hours.
Entrance (Security Entrance - Left from Reception)
- This entrance is located to the left of the reception desk.
- The entrance area is not clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 100cm.
- There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
- The door opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 95cm.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a key card reader at the exit.
The key card reader is 110cm high. - There is a turnstile to the left of the automatic door.
The turnstile door width is 65cm.
Entrance (Security Entrance - Right from Reception)
- This entrance is located on the right after the reception desk.
- The entrance area is not clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 115cm.
- There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
- The door opens away from you.
- The width of the opening is 95cm.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a key card reader at the exit.
The key card reader is 95cm high. - There is a turnstile to the left of the automatic door.
The turnstile door width is 65cm.
Lift (Main)
- The lift surveyed is located on the right after the right hand security entrance at reception.
- The distance from the accessible entrance is 22m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and automatic doors.
- The ground floor (level 1), and levels 2, 3, and 4 are accessed by this lift.
- The lift door has a high visual contrast.
- The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift door opening width is 89cm.
- The internal dimensions of the lift are 107cm (width) x 209cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
- All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
- There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.
- There are further lifts to the mid-rear left, and the rear right of the building.
Stairs (Stairwell 8)
- The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead after the security entrance to the left of reception.
- The ground floor (level 1), and levels 2, 3, and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 18cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
Stairs (Stairwell 6)
- The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead from the security entrance to the right of reception.
- The ground floor (level 1), and levels 2, 3, and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 19cm.
- The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps have open risers.
Stairs (Stairwell 7)
- The stairs surveyed are located in the open plan area along the rear of the building.
- The ground floor (level 1), and levels 2, 3, and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 19cm.
- The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps have open risers.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Reception)
-
Location and Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located on the left after the accessible entrance.
- The distance from the accessible entrance is 12m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
- The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
- Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
-
Dimensions and Features
View
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm (width) x 193cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 85cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
- There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
- The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
- The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
- The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
- The toilet roll holder is 83cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
- The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
- The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
- The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
- The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
- The hand dryer is 130cm from the floor.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- There are no coat hooks.
- The height of the baby change facility when in use is 103cm.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Front - Right Hand Transfer)
-
Location and Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located on the left after the right hand security entrance at reception.
- The distance from the accessible entrance is 17m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and automatic doors.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
- Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
-
Dimensions and Features
View
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 145cm (width) x 225cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 66cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
- There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
- The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
- The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
- The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
- The toilet roll holder is 88cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 75cm from the floor.
- The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
- The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
- The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
- There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The towel dispenser is 102cm from the floor.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- There are no coat hooks.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Stairwell 4 - Left Hand Transfer)
-
Location and Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located on the left of the building in Stairwell 4.
- The distance from the accessible entrance is 78m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, automatic doors and manual doors.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
- Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
-
Dimensions and Features
View
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 224cm (width) x 168cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 99cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
- There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
- The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
- The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
- The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
- The toilet roll holder is 87cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
- The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
- The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
- The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The soap dispenser is 107cm from the floor.
- There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The towel dispenser is 108cm from the floor.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- There are no coat hooks.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Rear Right - Left Hand Transfer)
-
Location and Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located to the rear right of the building, near Stairwell 3.
- The distance from the accessible entrance is 108m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has manual doors and step-free level access.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
- Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
-
Dimensions and Features
View
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 155cm (width) x 192cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 87cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
- There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
- The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
- The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
- The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
- The toilet roll holder is 82cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
- The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
- The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
- The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The soap dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
- There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The towel dispenser is 102cm from the floor.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
- There are no coat hooks.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Rear Right - Right Hand Transfer)
-
Location and Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located on the right out of the rear lift.
- The distance from the rear right lift is 4m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
- Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
-
Dimensions and Features
View
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 138cm (width) x 196cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 76cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
- There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
- The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
- The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
- The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
- The toilet roll holder is 88cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
- The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
- The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
- The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
- There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
- The towel dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- There are no coat hooks.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.